Happy Anniversary

Our 5th anniversary was in October, but due to a death in the family we pushed our anniversary trip to December. This turned out to be really cool since we had planned to go to Pigeon Forge. In December this means snow in the Smoky Mountain National Park. It was so beautiful!!! Here are some of my favorites.

I love the way the needles held the snow.

Who doesn't love a snow covered tunnel?

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

This scene looks fake to me.... so beautiful!

I love the snow clinging to the rocks.

Snow underfoot and over head.

We had such a great time! We are thinking that we might have to make a trip every December to Pigeon Forge!

Merry Christmas

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:10-14

In Honor of My Girls

Finally getting to upload some pictures of the girls that I have lost this year. First Pickle due to illness earlier this year. Then, this last weekend Jemima got carried off by something. I hope it had a good meal.  We will miss our sweet girls!

Pickle hanging out on the couch.

Pickle watching Antiques Roadshow with me on the couch.

Pickle Taking her final car ride.

Saying goodbye to my girl. I miss you Pickle!

Jemima and her sister Atta Girl. Atta Girl misses her.

Holding Jemima when she was sick last year.

I miss you sweet girl!!

Organic?

You know you are eating organic when you find this in your broccoli.

I pulled my broccoli out of the refrigerator, laid it on the cutting board and quickly put my knife down. I found this little spider!!! It must have been hibernating in the cold of our ice box. I think it may have been a black widow. I quickly washed it down the drain. So, I have no doubt that my local farmers haven't sprayed their crops! Do you know your local farmer?

Oh.....

Wishing for some of this, but instead I will take the two hour school delay. Hopefully I will have time to get some pictures up soon and get some blogging going again. Until then, enjoy these photos of our time in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Power down

So, do you remember when I posted that my energy levels have been up and down? Let's just say that they have been down since that post. Another month of stress has left me feeling like
I am in a ditch. We had a death on each side of our families within a month of each other, company in from out of town twice, short trips out of town and more stress at work. I have also had the realization that even good stress is stress. My body reacts the same way to an awesome day out with girlfriends as it does to a funeral. You don't think about it, but your endorphines and adrenaline rushes, the emotional highs and lows make your adrenals work baby!! And mine don't work well right now. So even my good time visits with friends have been tiring. If you have been wondering why I have become a hermit, maybe that tidbit of info will help you understand. I found a good article here that may help if you want to know more about adrenal fatigue.

I have also found out that I am really low with vitamin D and DHEA. If you follow the link to the other article and search DHEA there is am article on DHEA as well. It is pretty interesting. I am getting some new supplements for both of these issues soon and I expect that to make a huge difference in my energy levels. I cant wait! I am really excited about two little bottles full of liquids that should help my body do what it is supposed to do.

On the bright side, I am at the end of me. That is where God can use me the most, right? I had a good long, tired cry last night with Dave acknowledging that. It felt good. You know, to know that you have done everything you can and the rest is in Gods hands? Relying on Him daily for my every care and need. That may not sound like a bright side to some, but for me it is. I think powered down and at the end of me is just where I am supposed to be right now. Life goes on. We still have a busy couple of weeks ahead before the winter holiday break from school. I have lots of plans. I am trying to stick with them and believing by God's grace I will make it through. Today we are off to Macon to see Dave's grandma moved out of her house and down to FL. Don't worry, we are only going to Macon. Oh, and it is Dave's birthday. One more busy day ahead......